A Brief History of Uniting Churches in Mitcham
Whitehorse's mitcham venue predecessor "Mountview" was formed on its present site in 1975 as a joint parish of the Mitcham Methodist Church and the Mitcham Presbyterian Church, although they had been sharing the site from 1967.
This cooperation initiative pre-dates the establishment of the Uniting Church in Australia in 1977.
From 1 January 2023 it again evolved, into "Whitehorse" Uniting Church (mitcham venue; 1 of 3 venues)
The Mitcham Methodist Church was established in 1888 and a timber building was constructed on the corner of Whitehorse Road and Richards Street. This building was moved to 339-345 Mitcham Road in 1921. The Wesley Hall was added behind the Church in 1936. These buildings were moved to the present site in 1967, and now serve as the location for Mountview's Sunday morning children's and youth programs.
The Mitcham Presbyterian Church was originally built in 1929 (also a timber building) on the corner of Fellowes Street and Victoria Avenue. It was moved to its present site on Doncaster East Road in 1946.
The front section of the building became the location for Mountview's "Centre 81" Outreach Service, which has been faithfully serving the community for decades.
The central section of this building is a fellowship meeting space that annually becomes our "Charities' Christmas Cards Shop" in the period leading to Christmas.
LinC Whitehorse's (Love in the name of Christ) outreach service is provided an office in the rear section.
Mountview's original brick hall was built in 1956.
The main brick building (primary worship space) was designed in 1965 by James Earle & Associates and was constructed in 1966-67, along with a nearby vestry / office building, plus additions linking the existing brick hall - being a foyer, a fellowship room / Chapel space (known locally as the Brown Room), and toilets.
The previous Mitcham Road site was sold to a developer in 2009, which facilitated a major renovation of the complex by WP Constructions, with the assistance of Brann Architects. Integration was improved with an expanded foyer, connections to new offices, plus ramps (replacing stairs) to provide easier access from the multiple entrances to the complex. Also a new main kitchen, new bathrooms, plus a refurbishment of the kitchen in the hall. The hall's stage was enclosed to form another fellowship/Chapel space.
The primary worship space was renovated from 2010 with new and improved lighting, professional quality audio, data projection and an elevated multi-media control desk.
This cooperation initiative pre-dates the establishment of the Uniting Church in Australia in 1977.
From 1 January 2023 it again evolved, into "Whitehorse" Uniting Church (mitcham venue; 1 of 3 venues)
The Mitcham Methodist Church was established in 1888 and a timber building was constructed on the corner of Whitehorse Road and Richards Street. This building was moved to 339-345 Mitcham Road in 1921. The Wesley Hall was added behind the Church in 1936. These buildings were moved to the present site in 1967, and now serve as the location for Mountview's Sunday morning children's and youth programs.
The Mitcham Presbyterian Church was originally built in 1929 (also a timber building) on the corner of Fellowes Street and Victoria Avenue. It was moved to its present site on Doncaster East Road in 1946.
The front section of the building became the location for Mountview's "Centre 81" Outreach Service, which has been faithfully serving the community for decades.
The central section of this building is a fellowship meeting space that annually becomes our "Charities' Christmas Cards Shop" in the period leading to Christmas.
LinC Whitehorse's (Love in the name of Christ) outreach service is provided an office in the rear section.
Mountview's original brick hall was built in 1956.
The main brick building (primary worship space) was designed in 1965 by James Earle & Associates and was constructed in 1966-67, along with a nearby vestry / office building, plus additions linking the existing brick hall - being a foyer, a fellowship room / Chapel space (known locally as the Brown Room), and toilets.
The previous Mitcham Road site was sold to a developer in 2009, which facilitated a major renovation of the complex by WP Constructions, with the assistance of Brann Architects. Integration was improved with an expanded foyer, connections to new offices, plus ramps (replacing stairs) to provide easier access from the multiple entrances to the complex. Also a new main kitchen, new bathrooms, plus a refurbishment of the kitchen in the hall. The hall's stage was enclosed to form another fellowship/Chapel space.
The primary worship space was renovated from 2010 with new and improved lighting, professional quality audio, data projection and an elevated multi-media control desk.
Vietnamese Faith Community
From humble beginnings, the community was formally recognised as a Faith Community of the Uniting Church in Australia, under the Presbytery of Yarra Yarra, on the 16th October 2011, the Vietnamese Faith Community (Mitcham) has been reaching out to the local Vietnamese community in Melbourne's north-east, being supported in this mission continuously by established Vietnamese Communities from Footscray and Springvale.
These support arrangements, including worship, concluded at the final worship and fellowship on Sunday 19th January 2020. This event celebrated more than 10 years sharing a life of faith for non-english speaking Vietnamese in the north-eastern suburbs.
We are particularly glad that all members have successfully and happily found new church homes closer to where they geographically live.
These support arrangements, including worship, concluded at the final worship and fellowship on Sunday 19th January 2020. This event celebrated more than 10 years sharing a life of faith for non-english speaking Vietnamese in the north-eastern suburbs.
We are particularly glad that all members have successfully and happily found new church homes closer to where they geographically live.
Mountview is very grateful to Rev Brendan Byrne who built our first (Weebly) website, plus Facebook and YouTube pages, and in so doing, provided us and the community with a great resource sharing ability.